Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Niemi

Thomas A. Niemi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Position estimation using satellite range rate measurements
    Patent number: 5552794
    Abstract: A method for using a value of range rate observed by a receiver, such as a GPS receiver, to determine the coordinates of points on the surface of the earth from which this value of range rate would be observed. These coordinates are given in an earth-centered, earth-fixed (ECEF) coordinate system, and they form a locus of points of equal range rate. The coordinates of these points provide general estimates of the location of the receiver. By calculating multiple loci of points which intersect each other, a more precise determination of the location of the receiver may be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Jaime B. Colley, Thomas A. Niemi